Cape Ann Symphony ready for Holiday Pops Concert on Nov. 25 and 26

Thursday

Nov 16, 2017 at 3:38 PMNov 16, 2017 at 3:38 PM

The Cape Ann Symphony’s Annual Holiday Pops Concert kicks off the holiday season with a joyful program of music from Mozart, Anderson, Vaughn William and many others. Performances will be Saturday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the Manchester Essex Regional High School, 36 Lincoln St., Manchester-by-the-Sea.

A Cape Ann holiday tradition, the Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concert features the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the direction of Rockport’s Wendy Betts performing with the orchestra under the musical direction of conductor Yoichi Udagawa.

The chorus and orchestra join together to perform a wide selection of holiday favorites ending with the annual audience sing-along.

Cape Ann Symphony Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa is looking forward to this year’s Holiday Pops Concert. "The musicians of the Cape Ann Symphony and I love the Holiday Pops Concerts as we get to celebrate the joy of the holidays with the wonderful Symphony Chorus directed by the incredible Wendy Betts," said Udagawa. "This year, we'll be presenting many holiday favorites including the gorgeous Fantasia on Christmas Carols by the English composer Vaughn Williams. The program also features music for Hanukkah and ends with our annual sing along. We can't wait to share these great pieces with our fabulous audience. It is such a joyful way to start the holiday festivities."

The Cape Ann Symphony launched The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus at the 2005 Holiday Pops Concert. The 75-plus member chorale under the direction of Wendy Betts is comprised mostly of North Shore residents, the majority of which live on Cape Ann.

"We are sounding better than ever, with bigger tenor and bass sections," said Betts. "We have really been enjoying the challenging and exciting preparation work on Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols. I know our audiences are going to love the joyful sound this year- in the chorus and our three soloists!"

Tickets are $43 for adults, $38 for senior citizens, $15 for students of any age; $5 for youth 12 and under. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org.